Some evacuees may have to return home by sea via Egypt

national August 04, 2014 10:56

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The border crossing in Djerba is chaotic due to massive evacuation from Libya while the Tunisian government prioritises Libyan evacuees, Thongchai Yasawat, director general of Consular Affairs department said.

Thongchai is now in Tunisia to supervise evacuation of Thais from war-torn Libya. More than 26,000 people have evacuated to Tunisia since July 29 and evacuees to that country are still continuing.

Efforts are being made with the Thai embassy in Trpoli, the Libyan capital of Tripoli, and Thailand's honourary consul in Tunis, the Tunisian capital, to evacuate Thais remaining in Libya, he said.

The first group of eight Thai students returned home Saturday.

Meanwhile Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs Sihasak Puangketkeow said in Bangkok that problem of evacuation of Thais at the Libyan border is now settled following talks.

Sihasak said it is found from employers that many Thai workers in Libya wanted to return home on safety concerns.

He said a chartered flight would probably be arranged for the workers wishing to return home while some may have to travel to the Egyptian capital of Cairo and then travel by sea.

Despite the ongoing fighting, Sihasak said the Thai embassy in Tripoli would not be closed because embassy staff who are Libyan are still providing assistance to Thais wishing to continue staying in that country as they are worried about their employment or education status.